1950 Map of Unalakleet D-3

About this map

The Unalakleet River winds through a vast alluvial corridor in this mid-century topographic record, defining the drainage patterns of the Nome region. This survey, based on 1950 aerial photography, documents the vital seasonal transportation networks of the Alaskan interior, most notably the Winter Trail that traverses the northern ridges and the Portage route connecting water bodies. The confluence of the Chiroskey River and the main river channel creates a complex network of wetlands and smaller tributaries like Rabbit Creek and Tenmile Creek. These labels represent the primary landmarks for navigation and subsistence in a landscape where terrain and seasonal freeze-up dictate movement. The map provides a precise look at the land before later environmental shifts or modern infrastructure altered these traditional routes.